Director charged with boy's manslaughter

The owner of the building where a three-year-old boy died after falling down a shaft last April was yesterday charged with the toddler's manslaughter.

Francis Mamo, 53, of Naxxar, a director of Oman Construction Ltd, was charged with the involuntary homicide of Gabriel Agius on April 16 at about 1 p.m.

Mr Mamo is the owner of the building where the boy plunged to his death in the basement garages of an unnumbered building in Dawret in-Niżla ta' San Pawl Street, Żebbuġ.

Mr Mamo is also being accused of ignoring warnings by the police about the dangerous state of the building and a flight of steps in the area.

The boy, who was in the garage with his mother at the time of the accident, fell the height of one storey down a shaft that led to the second underground floor of the basement garages.

Testifying yesterday, two garages owners said there was no lighting in the basement as there was a pending bill which they were unaware of until the electricity supply was switched off.

Police Inspector Tony Cachia prosecuted.

Lawyer Paul Lia appeared for Mr Mamo.

Lawyers Franco Debono and Charmaine Cherrett appeared in parte civile.